Engineers given more time to probe the collapse of three dams in WC's Riverlands

CAPE TOWN - Engineers from the Water and Sanitation Department have been given an extra week to probe the cause of the recent dam collapses in the Swartland region of the Western Cape.

This follows the failure of three farm dams located in Dassenberg near Riverlands more than a week ago. 

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This caused damage to people's homes and municipal infrastructure and left hundreds of people destitute.

Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina visited the area shortly after the incident, and instituted an investigation into the cause of the dam collapses.

A report was expected within seven days of the minister's visit.

"Whilst the team on the ground has been working around the clock to expedite the compilation of the report requested by the minister, it has had to balance the investigation work with its intervention to mitigate the risk of the failure of the fourth dam which was at a risk of severe damage as well," said the minister's spokesperson Andile Tshona.